Aw what the hell, here it goes. I've probably got the most commercial list so far, but oh well. These aren't my 30 favorite of all time, just 30 that jumped out at me while I was looking through my iTunes.

1. Audioslave – Shadow On The Sun

When he's on, Chris Cornell has one of the coolest voices around. He's most definitely on here. The slow build up throughout the song is great, and the chorus is probably my favorite of any Audioslave song. It's a shame their newer album didn't offer any song close to the greatness of this one (although #1 Zero is fantastic.)

2. The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever

This song is a trip the entire way through. Beautiful stuff. Lennon sounds as if he's asleep the entire way through. "Living is easy with eyes closed", indeed. The trippy last half minute is one of the most surreal bits of music they put together.

3. Beck – Paper Tiger

The strings! They turn this song into something special, elevating it and perfectly bouncing off Beck's lazy vocals.

4. Bob Dylan – Subterranean Homesick Blues

A quick one, but a good one. It's impossible to listen to this song and not think of Dylan flipping those flashcards. Dylan packs a lot of words into 2+ minutes of music, and every bit of it sounds great.

5. Bright Eyes – I Believe In Symmetry

From the 'Digital Ash' record, this song really hits its stride about the 2:06 mark. Everything afterwards is fantastic. Epic and gorgeous, the real centerpiece of the record.

6. Bruce Springsteen – Streets of Philadelphia

One of my favorite songs from the Boss. Subdued, quiet, and over before you know it, this song feels perfect for a rainy nighttime drive.

7. Coldplay – Talk (Demo Version)

Everything I hoped X&Y would be. Far superior to the album version, with lyrics that actually aren't completely asinine. Doesn't explode like the album version, but it feels like the song was never supposed to in the first place. It's a song that wasn't meant to (attempt to) pound stadiums. This is what it should have actually sounded like. This is the direction the album should have taken.

8. Coldplay – Sleeping Sun

A b-side from the recently released Talk single. Acoustic guitars over a bouncing bass line, and a real departure from anything they've done. If this is the direction they take on their next album, I won't be disappointed.

9. Counting Crows – A Murder Of One

Off their first (and best) record. It displays all the potential they had before they started recording songs for Shrek and shit like that. The end of the song is gorgeous, with Duritz repeating the same stanza over and over again until the song blooms and the music kicks back in with repeated cries of "Change, change, change".

10. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son

Another song that's way too short. Gotta love Fogerty's vocals, and it's just a plain great tune. Vintage CCR.

11. The Cure – Lullaby

Teasing, primping, and haunting little tune. Something out of Robert Smith's nightmare. It's genius, but sometimes I've become uncomfortable listening to it. Shows how a great melody can be made into a disturbing thing.

12. Damien Rice – Eskimo

The story in this song is the lush opera that makes up the end. Beautiful way to end the record, despite the fact that there are two bonus tracks hidden much later in the track.

13. Death Cab For Cutie – Passenger Seat

The bookend to Transatlanticism's title track, Passenger Seat is a sweet and simple track, with Gibbard's voice following a gorgeous piano part for the duration. One of my very favorites from Death Cab.

14. Elton John – Your Song

Is this cliche? Probably. But it's just too damn good. Bernie wrote some great lyrics hear, and the music suits them perfectly. It's probably really sappy, but this song always reminds me of someone special, as I'm sure it does for anyone else who listens to it.

15. Foo Fighters – In Your Honor

This record was pretty hit or miss, but this first song hits and hits hard. If you saw the Foos this year, you'll realize what a monster this song is. They used it to open their sets, and Dave's screams are fantastic. Love how the song completely stops midway through before erupting.

16. Faultline – Wild Horses (featuring Joseph Arthur)

The UK's answer to Moby enlists Joseph Arthur to cover the Stones classic, and Arthur's voice makes it a winner. He sounds completely tortured and shows why he is one of the most exciting artists out there right now. One of my favorite covers ever.

17. Incubus – Aqueous Transmission

I don't know what the instrument is, but it makes the tune. Oriental sounding meditation music, and the ultimate chill out soundtrack. Don't doubt it until you've heard it.

18. Interpol – Untitled

Opener of “Turn On The Bright Lights”. Feels like the soundtrack to a scuba dive. Very few vocals in the song, which is a great thing. Great way to open the record.

19. Iron & Wine – Woman King

Iron & Wine is absolutely incredible. Sam Beam is a fantastic songwriter. This song is a swampy romp accented by Sam’s hushed vocals. Very interesting instrumentation throughout. It’s a really great track. Acoustic solo midway through is

20. Jimmy Eat World – 23

Here’s where I’m going to lose a lot of people. This is off the Futures record and is a huge achievement for Jimmy Eat World. A beautiful, sad, and sprawling song. It’s seven and a half minutes of plain gorgeous music. They really outdid themselves here. I love Jimmy Eat World, but never really took them too seriously until this song. The rest of the record is fantastic, too.

21. John Mayer – Wheel

Bluesy goodness from a guy who can really pull it off. Most people only hear “Your Body Is A Wonderland” or “No Such Thing” and think the guy is commercial, boring pop. He’s really much deeper than that, and this song proves it. Great guitar parts in a quiet, pensive tune.

22. Joseph Arthur – Termite Song

Everything I love about Joseph Arthur rolled into one nine-minute romp. It’s a slow march, and it remains that way the whole song through. Like I said earlier, Arthur is one of the most exciting artists around, and this song proves it with his quiet, lovely vocals over a lightly plucked acoustic guitar and some gorgeous background noises I still can’t quite put my finger on.

23. Led Zeppelin – Tangerine

Love the guitar part and the way the drums kick in on the chorus. A real laid back song, and a personal Zeppelin favorite.

24. Nick Drake – Fly

As with a lot of people, I first heard this tune in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ right after Richie leaves the hospital after his suicide attempt. I have always loved his guitar playing, and this song has a beautiful part. The strings in the background add a lot. Drake’s voice can always make you feel exactly like he does.

25. Norah Jones – Turn Me On

I really adore Norah Jones, and this is one of my favorites she’s done. It’s a real lovers’ song, the sort of thing just made for a sensual slow dance. It’s one of those songs that can just make you smile no matter what mood you’re in.

26. Pete Yorn – Strange Condition

There’s a few other hardcore Pete fans round these parts, and this is the song that totally sold me on him. It’s pretty basic, but that doesn’t make it any less brilliant. Yorn’s voice aches throughout the entire song. Love it.

27. Radiohead – Climbing Up The Walls

I’m sure I don’t need to explain this to anyone. Creepy stuff, and one of the most atmospheric songs I’ve ever heard. My favorite Radiohead tune along with Idioteque.

28. Sigur Ros – Untitled 8

The final track on the ( ) record. If you’ve heard it, you probably know where I’m going with this. The drums are the real story on this track, especially on the latter half of the song. Primal and raw, one of my favorite moments in Sigur Ros’ entire catalogue.

29. The White Stripes – Death Letter (Live)

One of their live standards, and for good reason. The studio version from De Stijl is pretty tame, but the track really finds itself live. Jack White plays like a man possessed, channeling the spirit of Son House and going off with reckless abandon.

30. Wilco – Jesus Etc.

Remains one of my favorite Wilco tunes. The chorus alone makes it worth mentioning. I guess you could say it has kind of a lounge feel to it. Great lyrics throughout, but you should expect that from Jeff Tweedy at this point.

Here’s where I’m going to lose a lot of people. This is off the Futures record and is a huge achievement for Jimmy Eat World. A beautiful, sad, and sprawling song. It’s seven and a half minutes of plain gorgeous music. They really outdid themselves here. I love Jimmy Eat World, but never really took them too seriously until this song. The rest of the record is fantastic, too.

to be honest, i would have been one of the people you lost by listing this song.

Ok, here are some of my favorite songs, in alphabetical order. Email me if you want something (although I have never ysi'd before I guess now's a good time to figure it out). I don't know if I'll have time to upload everything and some of these all of you probably have anyway, so on a request basis might work best for now.

1. Around the World (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
I love how much fun I have, and how dumb I sound, singing along.

2. A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
I especially love Tori Amos' cover but I don't have a good copy of it.

3. a sorta fairytale – Tori Amos
When I first heard it I thought it was a bit too adult contemporary for my tastes. So it surprises me that it has become a favorite. I still find myself hitting the repeat button in the car nearly every time I hear it. It’s like comfort food.

4. Begin the Begin – R.E.M.
An early R.E.M. favorite that has withstood the test of time. It just rocks.

5. Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
I should be tired of it by now. But I’m not.

7. Blue – Lucinda Williams
I keep putting this on mixes for people who don’t even like country music and it tends to end up as the favorite. I used to see Lucinda in NYC as everyone’s opening act. Here she blossoms into the alt.country diva she was born to be.

8. Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism
The passion, the imagery…

9. Don’t Look Back in Anger – Oasis
A perfect pop song.

10. Grace – Jeff Buckley
I was fortunate to see him live a number of times. “Lover You Should Have Come Over” was always the song that brought the house down (much better live) but “Grace” remains my favorite from the record. It’s that note he holds. You know the one.

11. How to Disappear Completely – Radiohead
Transports me beyond time and space.

13. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan) – The Band
No other version comes close.

14. iieee – Tori Amos
The Choirgirl Hotel marked a departure for Tori, from a girl and her piano to more experimental songs. I like the organ, her signature soaring vocals, the lyrics (“we scream in cathedrals, why can’t it be beautiful?”) and the startling head-banging madness in the middle.

15. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
A favorite for a long, long time.

16. It’s a Wonderful Life – Sparklehorse
Zoomerang’s list reminded me how much I love this little song.

19. Jòga - Björk
It’s all about the strings and the “emotional landscapes…”

20. King of Carrot Flowers – Neutral Milk Hotel
At first listen, a funny little song…but it has a strange poignancy that crept up on me one day.

21. Let Down - Radiohead
I could have picked any song from Ok Computer except for "Electioneering" and "Fitter Happier." It's like Sophie's Choice really so I just went with "don't get sentimental, it always ends up drivel..."

22. Lovers Spit – Broken Social Scene
I first heard this in an episode of Queer as Folk. It took me awhile to hunt it down since I didn’t see the credits roll but I found it through everyone here singing BSS’s praises. It’s just delicious (no pun intended).

23. Misguided Angel – Cowboy JunkiesThe Trinity Sessions is a masterpiece and one of my favorite records. A gorgeous song—the accordion, harmonica, mandolin, the mood, the classic country theme, and you can almost hear feet keeping the beat on the wood floors of the church it was recorded live in.

35. Weather With You – Crowded House
Open the sunroof, crank up the volume, hit the highway, and sing really loud.

-----------------------

36. Everything in its Right Place - Radiohead
A friend just called and I read him my list. He was horrified that I had not included this one. "But it's your favorite Radiohead song! I think of you everytime I hear it!" I just didn't want to have 3 songs from the same record especially when I love all of their records. It's hard not to include like 10 Radiohead songs.

Originally posted by joyfulgirl 7. Blue – Lucinda Williams
I keep putting this on mixes for people who don’t even like country music and it tends to end up as the favorite. I used to see Lucinda in NYC as everyone’s opening act. Here she blossoms into the alt.country diva she was born to be.

This is in my top 10 as well. I have a similar experience with this song when I include it in mix CDs. It becomes addictive for the listener and they always ask me about it.

Great choice!

I'll have to compile my own. Keep it up guys and gals, I've already sampled most of these on iTunes.

by no means my Top 30, just 30 of my favs that I've been loving lately. I guess it's sort of commercial compared to the others...and I'll try my best with the descriptions.

1. Distopian Dream Girl- Built to Sill
The whole "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" album is really fun, and this song is especially catchy.

2. Country Feedback- REM
One of my favorite songs off Out of Time.

3. I Summon You- Spoon
A really beautiful song, the first time I heard it, it seemed like a classic song that I'd known forever.

4. Lost Cause- Beck
I'm probably in the minority thinking Sea Change was his best album. Anyway this is my favorite song off that one, it's simple and melancholic and very relatable for whatever reason.

5. Buckets of Rain- Bob Dylan
One of the best songs he ever wrote, period. and a perfect closer to blood on the tracks, it seems to sum up the whole album..."all you can do is do what you must"

6. Little Bombs- Aimee Mann
Her voice is so expressive imo, and so are her lyrics. Probably my personal favorite from her new album.

7. Last Train- Arlo Guthrie
I was debating between including this one, or City of New Orleans, but figured more people may not have heard this one. He's such a great singer and songwriter, and this song is a perfect sad folk song. Like the reference to "man of constant sorrow."

8. Beginning to See the Light- Velvet Underground
Their self-titled is one of my favorite albums of all time, and this song is so addictive. It's impossible not to sing along

9. Let it Be- Joan Baez
Possibly comes close to the original in my opinion.

10. Say it Ain't So- Weezer
I think it's my teenage angst kicking in or something, but I love screaming along to this song.

11. Jesus, etc- Wilco
I admit I'm not a hardcore Wilco fan, but ever since I got this song I've been listening to it constantly. The delicate vocals and instrumentation are great.

12. Cortez the Killer- Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse
Beautiful song, one of the verses near the end gets me all teared up sometimes. "And they carried them to the flatland/But they died along the way/And they built up with their bare hands/What we still can't do today"

13. Saint Simon- The Shins
Slowly becoming my favorite song on Chutes Too Narrow. As with most of the Shins songs, the lyrics are really fun and rhythmic and make sense in some strange way.

14. Daffodil Lament- The Cranberries
The best song they ever did. Her vocals can be a bit over the top sometimes, but they are perfect for this song. Love how the song changes toward the end.

15. The List- Metric
Great song from a great album

16. Oh, Atlanta- Alison Krauss
Anyone who thinks they hate country (me a few months ago) should listen to her. There's something about her voice and this song has some good instrumentation too.

17. Nothing Compares 2 U- Sinead O'Connor
Prince is damn good songwriter, and she has a really nice voice. I listen to this song way more than I should.

18. Think for Yourself- The Beatles
Rubber Soul is the best album they ever did, it's a fact.

19. Madame George- Van Morrison
One of the best songs ever written...I can't even describe it. His voice, and the subtle acoustic guitar, the bass guitar, the strings coming in. So so beautiful...If anyone hasn't heard it please let me ysi it for you.

20. Samba Pa Ti- Santana
As always there's a ton of emotion in his guitar playing, this is one of my favorites.

21. Gravity Rides Everything- Modest Mouse
Best song off the Moon and Antarctica.

22. Pixies- Caribou
Very catchy and a cool song

23. In the Backseat- Arcade Fire
One of my favorite album closers ever, very atmospheric, beautiful vocals. I don't know how to describe this song, but it's great.

24. Presence of the Lord- Blind Faith
His vocals are very "pure" on this song, and the guitar is awesome. "I have finally found a way to live/Just like I never could before/And I know I don't have much to give/But I can open any door"

26. Oh Well, Okay- Elliot Smith
Sad, mellow, beautiful...like most of XO pretty much. I could be wrong but I think this was one of the last albums he put out before he killed himself.

27. Alone, Together- The Strokes
cos the Strokes are so much fun to listen to

28. Omission- John Frusciante
I actually really like his solo stuff, and this is one of his best ones. It's almost upbeat in a strange way, very melodic.

29. Crazy Love- Van Morrison (version with Bob Dylan)
It's a good song, but I could probably name 5 others I like more off of Moondance. But this version that I found is a simple acoustic rendition, with Bob Dylan sharing vocals and it is now one of my top played tracks. Such a sweet, simple, gorgeous song.

30. Like a Rolling Stone- Jimi Hendrix
If you didn't already think I have shitty music taste, you will now...but I prefer this version to the original (and I also prefer Dylan's version of All Along the Watchtower for that matter). Can't explain it, but I do. *runs away